PROFESSIONAL NURSE: SPECIALTY [PN-B1] GRADE 1–2 SESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS: MAXIMUM OF 20 SESSIONS PER WEEK PER PN (1 SESSION = 1 HOUR)

The Limpopo Department of Health is recruiting qualified specialist nurses for sessional appointments as Professional Nurse: Specialty, graded at PN-B1 Level 1 and Level 2, at hospitals across its five district health districts — Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg. The session-based posts are based at Pietersburg, Mankweng, Letaba, St Ritas, Philadelphia, Tshilidzini and Mokopane hospitals. Sessional engagement means nurses work a capped number of one-hour sessions per week rather than a standard full-time roster, offering flexibility while helping the department cover specialist services. The specialities in demand are operational theatre nursing, adult critical care/ICU, child nursing (paediatrics), child critical care (paediatric ICU), trauma, advanced midwifery and neonatal nursing science, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and renal nursing.

To be considered, applicants must hold the basic R425 qualification — a diploma or degree in nursing or an equivalent that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Professional Nurse — as well as a post-basic nursing qualification of at least one year in one of the listed specialities, accredited by SANC. The exception is neonatal ICU nursing, where the post-basic requirement is waived. Current SANC registration in the relevant speciality is essential. For appointment at Grade 1, a minimum of four years of appropriate experience in nursing after registration in general nursing is required. Grade 2 applicants need at least fourteen years of nursing experience, of which ten years must be in the relevant speciality after completing the post-basic qualification. Remuneration is paid at DPSA-approved sessional rates and is determined by the nurse’s recognised experience following SANC registration.

The successful nurse must possess sound knowledge of nursing care processes and procedures in their speciality area, along with good communication, report-writing, facilitation, liaison, networking and problem-solving skills. Information management skills and computer literacy are also required. Core duties include directing and supervising the implementation of nursing care plans, delivering quality patient care, and practicing nursing in line with professional standards, quality indicators, legislation and regulations. The nurse will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary clinical team and must use human, material and physical resources efficiently and effectively.

Applicants must be willing to work shifts, flexi-hours, weekends, public holidays and overtime as needed — a key condition given the 24-hour nature of hospital care. The department is building a database of sessional professional nurses, and the same advertising round also includes a separate sessional stream for Professional Nurses with Midwifery, Grade 1 to Grade 3, at numerous hospitals in the same districts. These posts offer an opportunity for experienced specialist nurses to contribute on a sessional basis while earning recognition for their years of service.